Visualization of neuropeptides in paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the central nervous system in the decapod crustacean, Penaeus monodon, by imaging mass spectrometry

► By applying the non invasive imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) on the paraffin-embedded tissue sections (PETS), we were able to identify and map the location of up to 29 physiologically important neuropepetides in the eyestalk, the brain and the thoracic ganglia of Penaeus monodon, a widely cultured commercial decapod crustacean. Furthermore, by pre-treating PETS with acetic acid 4 large constitutive proteins could also be identified and localized by analysing their 28 generated sequences with IMS. These were achieved without affecting the histology of the concerned organs.